Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2013) 2(4): 38-41
ISSN: 2319-7706 Volume 2 Number 4 (2013) pp. 38-41
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Original Research Article
Prevalence of Ectoparasites in commensal rats in Dehradun, India
Shashi K. Solanki*1, Rashmi Chauhan1, Abdul Rahman1 and Kanika Solanki2
1
Department of Zoology, D. A.V. (P.G) College, Dehradun-248001, India
2
S.G.R.R.M.I.H, Medical College, Dehradun-248001, India
*Corresponding author e-mail: [email protected]
ABSTRACT
Keywords
Rattus;
R.norvegicus,
M.musculus;
X.cheopi;
Polyplex;
Ixodes.
In the present investigation, 50 commensal rats of three species were examined for
their arthropod ectoparasites from two different city habitats. Rats were captured
during the period of October 2011 to March 2012 from Dehradun. Identified rats were
Rattus rattus (54%), Rattus norvegicus (40%) and Mus musculus (6%). For all three
species of rats more males 28 (56%) were captured than 22 (44%) females. 18% of
captured rodents were infested with arthropod parasites. Collected ectoparasite was
identified as Xenopsylla cheopis, Ixodes spp, Polyplex spp. Host gender does not
affect ectoparasite infestation (P< 0.05). The study documented that there was no
significant difference in the rate of infestation among various species of rats (P<
0.05).
Introduction
spread of infection. The level of infection,
intensity and activity of these vectors
depends upon some factors such as
abundance of various hosts, environmental
conditions and locomotion (Zoghi, 2006).
The objective of this study was to
determine the prevalence of ectoparasites
in commensal rats in Dehradun city, India.
Rodents
together
with
arthropod
ectoparasites can play an important role in
the distribution of the arboviruses,
streptococcal infections, choriomeningitis,
plague,
tularemia,
leptospirosis,
spirochaetosis etc., (Manson and Stanko,
2005). Ectoparasites include insects and
acarnies (fleas and mites), some of them
are permanent like lice, while most of the
mature ticks and fleas are temporary
parasites. Rats are known to harbor four
groups of arthropod ectoparasites: fleas,
ticks, mites and lice. Ectoparasites are
irritating pests of human and animals.
Materials and Methods
The investigation was carried out in two
selected areas of Dehradun in period of
October 2011-March 2012. Simple break
back type metal spring traps were used to
collect the rats from the Grainery and
Residential areas. All trapped rats were
Some of the ectoparasites can biologically
or mechanically transfer infectious agents
to the human or animals and results in the
38
Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2013) 2(4): 38-41
identified up to the species level (Jeenifer
and Frey, 2007). The fur of each
anaesthetized rat was combed with fine
tooth comb, to dislodge the ectoparasites
and fine forceps was also used to remove
the parasites from the skin of rats. The
parasites were transferred in 70% ethanol.
Dehydration and fixation were performed
to definite morphological specification in
light microscopy. The data was analysed
by Chi-square test to study the significant
difference in infestation among three
species of rats and in study locations .The
value of (P< 0.05) was considered as
statistically significant.
infestation in two study locations (P<
0.05). R. rattus was the most infested
muridae species accounting for 67% of all
ectoparasites collected followed by Rattus
norvegicus (33%) (Table-3).There was no
significant difference in the rate of
infestation among various species of rats
(P< 0.05) .The overall rodent ectoparasite
index and individual tick, flea, louse index
was lower than one (1). Results are in
accordance with the study of (Omudu et
al., 2010) in Makurdi, Nigeria.
Figure.1 Distribution of Rats
M.musculus
6%
Results and Discussion
A total 50 rats were captured including
three species 27(54%) Rattus rattus, 20
(40%) Rattus norvegicus and 3(6%) Mus
musculus (Figure.1). For all three species
of rats more males 28 (56%) were
captured than 22(44%) females (Table-1).
Chi- square test indicate that sex of the
rats did not influence the level of
ectoparasite infestation (P<0.05). Captured
rodents in our study, Rattus norvegicus
and Mus musculus were reported in some
studies in Iran as vector of some
ectoparasites. Other studies in some
countries have similar results (Bittencourt
et.al., 2003; Reeves and Cobb, 2005;
Hanafi et.al., 2007).
R.norvigicus
40%
R.rattus,
54%
Table.1 Distribution of rodent species
captured at the study location
Rat Species
Rattus
rattus
Rattus
norvegicus
Mus
musculus
SEX:
Male
In all 18% of captured rodents were
infested with arthropod parasites, atotal of
12specimens were harbouring fleas
accounting
for
83.3%
of
total
ectoparasites. It was observed that rats of
all the three species captured from
Grainery were infested with more
ectoparasites (58%) as compared to the
residential areas (42%) (Table.2). Rodent
ectoparasite index was low in residential
area (0.16) with insignificant difference in
Grainery Residential
area
11
16
7
13
2
1
12
16
Female
8
14
TOTAL
20
30
Total
27
(54%)
20
(40%)
3
(6%)
28
(56%)
22
(44%)
50
X.cheopis, Polyplex spp. and Ixodes spp.
were isolated from R. rattus and
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Int.J.Curr.Microbiol.App.Sci (2013) 2(4): 38-41
R.norvegicus. All the examined house
mice (Mus musculus) did not present any
ectoparasite. Earlier an ectoparasite survey
of small wild mammals of Dehradun
valley was conducted by (Wattel et al.,
1965). He reported 36 animals comprised
of seven species harboured by 14
specimens of fleas.
Table.2 Ectoparasites infestation of rodents captured at the study location
Study
location
Grainery
Residential
area
Total
Captured
rats
Infested
rats
Fleas
Tick
Louse
Total
ectoparsite
20
30
5(25%)
4(13%)
6
4
1
---
--1
7(58%)
5(42%)
50
9(18%) 10(83%) 1 (8.3%) 1 (8.3%)
Rodent s
Ectoparasite
index
0.35
0.16
P-value
12
Table.3 Rodent species captured and Ectoparasites infestation
Rat Species
Rattus rattus
Rattus norvegicus
Mus musculus
Total
Ectoparasite index
Captured Infested
rats
rats
27
6
20
3
3
--50
9
Fleas
Tick
Louse
7
3
--10
0.2
--1
--1
0.02
1
----1
0.02
Among them only six (6) specimens of
X.cheopis were recovered from three
Rattus rattus. Presently, out of 50 rats 9
were harboured by 10 specimens of
X.cheopis with highest index (0.2).No
other documented survey has been cited in
the literature of ectoparasites on rodents in
Dehradun valley. This study is a step to
assess the status of rodent infestation in
Dehradun city. Further epidemiological
and Zoonotic investigations need to be
conducted in order to ascertain the role of
rodents in emerging new infections. The
animals were autopsied for presence of
endoparasite and microbes and the results
of this part will appear in due course.
Total
ectoparasite
8 (67%)
4 (33%)
--12
P value
P<0.05
Acknowledgement
Authors are thankful to the University
Grant Commission, Bhadur Shah Zafar
Marg (Govt. of India) New Delhi, for
providing financial assistance for the
investigations.
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